Draft rigging



June 12, 1934. N. B, AKITT 1,962,699

DRAFT RIGGING Filed 001;. 5, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l ein atroz mm1 June 12, 1934.v N. B. AKlTT DRAFT RIGGING Filed oct. 5, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 6

FIG. 7

Patented June 12, 1934 DRAFT RIGGING Norman B. Akitt, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Symington Company, New corporation of Maryland Application October 3,

Claims.

This invention relates to railway draft rigging and more particularly to mechanism for operatively connecting the coupler and yoke while permitting vertical angling therebetween, and, if de- 5 sired, also horizontal angling.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is to provide a coupler with a rearwardly extending stem or shank, the rear surface of which is so modified that it is adapted to angle l0 vertically with respect to an associated follower without increasing the longitudinal overall dimension of the coupler and follower.

Another object of my invention is to provide a swivel butt coupler adapted to angle vertically on draft about an associated key and constructed for vertical angling on buli with provision for suflicient contacting area with respect to an asso-Y a coupler, the rear surface of the stem of which comprises a vertical middle zone formed as a substantially plane or fiat surface or surfaces and two end zones formed as portions of a transverse cylindrical segment' for angling with respect to an associated follower.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a follower block formed with forwardly projecting concave cylindrical faced ears or flanges on the side edges of a flat or approximately flat portion whereby it permits vertical angling of an associated coupler with respect thereto.

An additional object of my invention is to pro,- vide railway draft rigging in which the butt of the coupler and the front of the associated front follower or front element of cushioning mechanism are interlocked against transverse displacement andV formed with complementary curved bearing faces permitting vertical angling therebetween while providing adequate areas for the transmission of bufng forces from the coupler, even when the parts are in angled positions.

Other objects and advantagesof the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction ofthe various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims. Figure 1 is a plan of a portion of railway draft rigging embodying my invention, the parts thereof being shown in horizontal section.

Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the rigging shown in Figure 1, portions of the York, N. Y., a

1928, Serial No. 310,139

coupler and follower being illustrated in side elevation.

Figure 3 isa fragmentary perspective of the butt end of the coupler shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a perspective of the follower illustrated in Figures l and 2.

Figures 5 to 8 inclusive are views corresponding respectively to Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, but showing a modication.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, and rst considering the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, there are shown parts of railway draft rigging involving a coupler 1 with a rearwardly extending stem 2 which, is in the present embodiment shown as of the swivel butt type. The shank of the stem 2 is pivotally connected with a swivel block or butt portion 3 by means of a pair of pivot pins 4. Said pins 4 pass vertically through intercalated webs or flanges 5 on the coupler stem and 6 on the swivel block and it will be understood that the construction of the rear end of the stem 2 and the swivel block 3 may correspond generally, except as especially differentiated hereinafter, with the swivel butt coupler described and claimed in the patent to Donald S.

Barrows, No. 1,431,717, dated October 10, 1922. The intermediate web of flange 7 of the swivel block 3 and the adjacent portion of the coupler stem 2 are in the present embodiment formed with supplementary portionsof a slot 3 adapted to receive an associated horizontal draft key 9 which extends through correspondingl slots 10`in the associated yoke 11 and into corresponding slots in the associated draft sills and cheek plates (notv shown) in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art.

The pivot pins 4 are so positioned that their inner ends do not encroach on the slot and interfere with the draft key 9 and they may be maintained in position in any desired manner, as by means of cotters 12 extending through lugs 13 on opposite sides of vsaid pins and engaging the outer ends thereof. It will be understood that the key 9, when in place, is adapted to space the inner ends of the pins or, if desired, said pins may be spaced by auxiliary means of any desired character.

As is vcustomary in draft rigging of the character illustrated a second key 14 is provided and disposed to the rear of the front or first key 9;: which key extends through a corresponding slot 15 in the associated front follower 16 disposed` rearwardly of and in abutting relationship with the butt portion of the coupler stem 2 or the swivel block 3 thereof. The second key 14, as will be understood, extends through slots 17 in the arms of the yoke 11 and on into corresponding slots in the associated draft sills and cheek plates (not shown) in the usual manner, said key functioning to retain the front follower in proper relationiwith respect to the coupler stem for the transmission of bufling forces therefrom through said follower to the associated draft gear or cushioning mechanism diagrammatically indicated at 18. Said key also serves for transmitting draft forces from the follower to the cheek plates and sills of the car.

The pivotal means or pins4 permit horizontal angling between the coupler and swivel block on draft thereby also permitting sufficient angling between the coupler and associated draft rigging, as will be understood, and as described in detail in the Barrows Patent No. 1,431,717, previously referred to. Horizontal angling ofthe coupler upon the application of bung forces is also permitted between the correspondingly Y curved rear edges of the shank loops or flanges 5'and'the butt pockets between the flanges 6 of the swivel block, such bufling forces being thereby taken off the pins 4.

Upon the application of draft forces, vertical angling of the coupler is permitted due to the clearance between the key 9 and the slots in the coupler, swivel block and yoke, said coupler angling about the rear curved edge of the key or the key angling about its front curved edge vwith respect' to the yoke, or both, thereby permitting the required angling ofthe coupler with respect to the draft rigging and associated car." In order to permit Vsuflicient vertical angling of the coupler upon the application of buff* ing forces the rear face of the swivel block 3 405 or butt portion of the coupler stem 2 is formed with a vertical middle or intermediate Zonev 19 and two end Zones 20 formed or curved as portions of a transverse cylindrical segment,rthe center or axis of said curvature being preferably at the center of the associated draft key with draft key receiving slot or approximately at this location, for permitting the greatest amount of vertical angling for a givenV amount of clearance between the key and coupler stem. It will be noted that the Yplane or flat face 19 on the'swivel block 3 is so positioned that the coupler may be used with a plane faced follower block, that is, the overall Ylength of the coupler has not been varied from standard. The curved or cylindrical end. zones on the swivel block are preferably disposed forwardly of or depressed with respect to the vertical middle Zone, so that the surface of said middle Zone is preferably tangent to the surface of the end zones adjacent the interme-Y 66* diate portions thereof or midway between the upper and lower edges.

The front face of the associated front follower or member 16, forming the front or outer element of the associated cushioning mechanism, is formed complementary so as to interlock and mate with `the engaging surfaces on the coupler stern or swivel' block 3 thereof while permitting vertical angling therebetween. For -that' purposathe intermediate portion of the follower is preferably' bevelled back at top and bottom to provide for angling between the parts, thebevelled portions, however, being preferably fiat or plane and corresponding in width with ,z5- the' flat vertical middle Zone of the swivel block 3. The flat portions on the follower are designated by the reference character 21 and on either side thereof are provided forwardly projecting concave cylindrical faced ears or anges 22, the edges of said flanges 22 being curved to correspond with the curvature of the end Zones 20 on the swivel block so that said swivel block and front follower fit and interlock together in the manner illustrated, so that they are not only alined transversely with respect to each other, but also vertically while at the same time, due to the bevelling of the intermediate `surfaces 21 on the follower, a limited but sufficient amount of. vertical angling between the parts is provided for. It will also be understood that on account of having the intermediate zone of the swivel block 3 as a fiat surface and formed with an aperture 23 for receiving the projection or center positioning lug usually provided on a plain follower, said coupler may, if desired, be used with a plane faced follower block, but on account of the inclining or bevelling of the sur face 21 on the follower block, a rigid shank coupler can notsatisfactorily be used with the modified block. In order to accomplish the latter, that is to provide a follower block for the purpose which may be used with a standard rigid shank coupler, the second modification to be described hereinafter has been provided.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 inclusive, there are shown parts of railway draft rigging involving a coupler 1a with a rearwardly extending stern 2a and provided with a swivel block 3a and associated with a front key 9, a yoke 11a, a second key 14a, and a front follower 16EL as in the present embodiment. The only difference between the present embodiment and that of the first embodiment is that the swivel block 3a on its rear face, instead of being provided with an entirely Fiat middle Zone is formed with a middle Zone 19a bevelled top and bottom, corresponding with the bevelling of the middle Zone 21 on the follower block 16 of the first'embodiment whereby the clearance for vertical angling is providedV by the coupler or the swivel block 3a thereof, instead of by the follower 16e. A further difference resides in the fact that inasmuch as the follower 16a in the present embodi ment is formed with a forwardly extending boss or centering projection 24, the corresponding aperture .23a in the swivel block 3a is slightly elongated vertically to permit normal swiveling or angling between the coupler and the follower.

Otherwise, the coupler may be identical with that 'i of the rst embodiment, except of course, the surface of the middle zone 1l?a is tangent where it branches from the end Zones 20El ratherV than at the middle or midway between the top and bottom edges as in the first embodiment.

The follower 162L is of course modified to correspond with the change in the swivel block 3e, the middle zone 21a being entirely flat rather than bevelled and preferably formed with the normal boss 24 and the distance between the projecting concave cylindrical faced ears or flanges 22a is in excess of the width of the shank of a rigid coupler, so that such a coupler may be used with such a follower as described in the present embodiment, said coupler being guided by the lug 24 so that it will not become dis placed from alincment with the follower and engage the forwardly projecting ears or flanges 22el on said follower. It will be apparent that the engagementbetween the swivel block 3a and the ille' l le llc

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follower 16a corresponds in other respects with the corresponding engagement between the parts in the rst embodiment so that further description is unnecessary.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I have so modified the butt of the coupler stem or the swivel block of a standard swivel butt coupler by providing horizontally or transversely spaced convex cylindrical bearing surfaces adapted to mate with correspondingly curved surfaces on the follower that the desired amount of vertical angling between the members is provided for` While at the same time the necessary area for the transmission of the buing forces is furnished. It will be understood that the purpose of providing the flat vertical middle zone on the swivel butt, or alternately the bevelled middle zone thereon, is to avoid changing the length 0f the swivel block and thereby correspondingly changing the length of the coupler and follower, so that the longitudinal dimensions are maintained standard and the modified coupler or follower may be used interchangeably with standard couples or followers as previously explained, as it will be understood that the distance between 'the fiat or bevelled front face on the follower and the rear face thereof is or may be standard or correspond with that of a plain follower.

Cylindrical zones are disposed on either side of a plain or fiat rear face on the swivel block, rather than vice versa, to take advantage of the increased thickness of the metal in said swivel block at the sides or rear corners due to the horizontal curvature of the forwardly facing surfaces of the swivel block pockets between the webs or iianges 6 and 7. The improved cut-away construction here proposed effects a corresponding saving in weight of the swivel block, without decrease in web or wall thickness and without change in overall length of either swivel block, coupler stem, or swivel butt coupler and follower assembly.

Although I have disclosed preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. A coupler stem and a butt portion pivoted thereto about an upright axis, the rear surface of said butt portion comprising a vertical middle zone formed as a plane surface and two end zones formed as portions of a transverse cylindrical segment, said middle zone extending rearwardly beyond said end zones.

2. A slotted follower adapted for use with railway draft rigging and formed with a front surface comprising an upright intermediate zone, the upper and lower portions of which are plane and inclined rearwardly, forwardly projecting concave cylindrical ears being provided on the side edges thereof, the axis of said cylindrical surfaces being horizontal for permitting vertical angling with respect to an associated coupler.

3. In railway draft rigging, in combination with a yoke, a two part coupler stem, means pivotally connecting the parts of said stem for horizontal angling therebetween, a key extending through said stem for connecting it to said yoke, the rear face of the rear part of said stem being formed as a fiat middle zone and two end zones on either side thereof, curved about a horizontal axis for permitting vertical angling of the coupler with respect to associated cushioning mechanism, said middle zone being formed on a portion projecting rearwardly of said end zones.

4. A railway vehicle coupler stem comprising a rigid shank portion provided with normally horizontal rearwardly extending flanges perforated for pivotal means and provided with rearward edges curved coaxially with respect to said perforations, a swivel block with a rear portion generally rectangular in plan and provided with forwardly extending similarly perforated iianges intercalated with respect to the ianges on the shank and formed with pockets therebetween, the forwardly facing surfaces of which are coaxially curved with respect to said perforations and normally engaging said shank flanges for the transmission of buing forces therebetween, whereby the rear corners of said block on either side of said pockets are of a greater thickness than the wall or web thickness of the remainder of said swivel block, and pivotal means extending through the perforations of the associated parts for connecting them together for the transmission of draft forces, the thickened corners of said swivel block being cut away to provide horizontally spaced zones curved about a normally horizontal axis to provide for Vertical angling with respect to an associated follower, the flat rear face of said swivel block remaining between and extending rearwardly of said curved zones.

5. In combination with a coupler, a stem comprising a shank portion, a swivel block, said shank portion and butt member having intercalated flanges, and upright pivotal means intersecting said iianges for connecting them together and allowing for pivotal motion therebetween, the rear face of said swivel block being normally flat with the corners cut away to provide horizontally spaced zones curved about a normally horizontal axis to provide for vertical angling with respect to an associated follower, that portion of the swivel block between said zones extending rearwardly thereof.

6. A coupler stem and a butt portion pivoted thereto about a normally upright axis, the rear surface of said butt portion comprising a generally upright middle zone formed substantially flat, and two end zones formed as portions of a transverse cylindrical segment, said middle zone extending rearwardly beyond said end zones.

7. In railway draft rigging, in combination with a yoke, a two-part coupler stem, means pivotally connecting the parts of said stem for horizontal angling therebetween, a key extending through said stem for connecting it to said yoke, the rear face of the rear part of said stem being formed as a middle zone and two end zones on either side thereof, said end zones being curved about a normally horizontal axis for permitting vertical angling of the coupler with respect to associated cushioning mechanism and forming the sole means for transmitting bufing forces to said cushioning mechanism, said middle zone projecting rearwardly of said end zones.

8. A swivel block adapted for pivotal connection to the stem of an associated coupler and formed with a rear surface comprising a vertical middle zone formed as a plane surface and two end zones formed as portions of a transverse cylindrical segment, said middle zone extending rearwardly beyond said end zones.

9, A coupler stem the rear surface of which comprises a vertical middle zone formed as a plane surface and two end zones formed as portions of a transverse cylindrical segment having spaced complementary,

a normally horizontal axis, said middle zone extending rearwardly beyond said end zones.

10. In railway draft rigging, in combination with a yoke, a coupler stein, a key extending 5 through said stem for connecting it to said yoke,

the rear surface of said stem being formed as a flat middle zone and two end zones on either side 

